Wild Arkansas Chase: Driver Strikes Police Units After Multiple TVI Attempts скачать в хорошем качестве

Wild Arkansas Chase: Driver Strikes Police Units After Multiple TVI Attempts

February 20, 2026, I was dispatched to assist with a vehicle pursuit that originated in Madison, Arkansas. Units from Madison Police Department requested assistance as the pursuit entered St. Francis County. Assisting officers involved in the pursuit included Deputy 612 Bradshaw, Deputy 622 Watlington, Officer 804 Hobson ( PALESTINE PD) and Officer 244 Herron with Madison Police Department. While responding, I received updated location information advising that the suspect vehicle was traveling westbound on Highway 334 toward South Washington Street in St. Francis County. I intercepted the pursuit on Highway 334 as it continued westbound. A Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) was attempted on Highway 334 by assisting units. The driver regained control and continued fleeing. A second TVI was conducted on Highway 334; however, the driver again recovered and continued the pursuit. During this time, I became the primary unit in the pursuit. The suspect vehicle turned south onto South Washington Street, drove into a grassy area in an apparent attempt to turn around, and then continued onto South Rosser Street. The vehicle attempted to turn onto East Davis Street and collided with a Palestine Police Department unit. The suspect then attempted to reverse and struck my patrol unit, causing damage to the vehicle. The vehicle came to a final stop at the intersection of South Rosser Street and East Davis Street. A felony traffic stop was conducted. The driver was identified as Jonathan Howard. Mr. Howard was taken into custody without further incident. I conducted a search of the vehicle incident to arrest. During the search, I located approximately twelve (12) aluminum cans containing alcoholic beverages. Several of the cans were open and partially consumed. The cans were labeled as beer and were consistent in appearance with commercially packaged alcoholic beverages. I detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the open containers and from inside the vehicle. I also detected a strong odor of an intoxicants coming from Mr. Howard’s breath and person. His speech was slurred, and his eyes were bloodshot and watery. Mr. Howard was unsteady on his feet and unable to walk without assistance at that time. His movements were slow and uncoordinated. Based on my training and experience, these indicators were consistent with impairment due to alcohol consumption. After completing initial interviews, I transported Mr. Howard to Forrest City Medical Center after he complained of head injuries sustained during the collision. Upon arrival, he declined medical treatment. During the medical evaluation Mr. Howard refused to get out of the wheel chair and would not comply with simple commands giving to him during which time he became agitated and kicked Deputy Goff. Mr. Howard was then placed back into my unit and taken to Saint Francis County detention center. Mr. Howard was then transported to the St. Francis County Detention Center for Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, I observed six (6) out of six (6) possible clues: • Lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes • Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes • Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in both eyes I also observed vertical nystagmus. I was specifically observing for involuntary jerking of the eyes as outlined in my SFST training. Mr. Howard declined to participate in any additional field sobriety tests. I read Mr. Howard his Miranda rights. He declined to sign any paperwork presented to him and refused to submit to a chemical breath or blood test. Based on the totality of the circumstances — including the vehicle pursuit, collisions with law enforcement vehicles, damage caused to law enforcement property, presence of open containers of alcohol, strong odor of alcoholic beverage, slurred speech, bloodshot and watery eyes, unsteady balance, refusal of chemical testing, and performance on the HGN test — I determined there was probable cause to arrest Mr. Howard. Mr. Howard is charged with: •5-54-125 Fleeing in a Vehicle – [Class C_ Felony] •5-65-205 Driving While Intoxicated – [Class Misdemeanor] •5-65-205 Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test – [Misdemeanor] • 5-13-204 – Aggravated Assault (x2) [Class D Felony] •5-71-218 Possession of Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle – [Class_C Misdemeanor] •5-38-203 Criminal Mischief – [ 1st Degree, Class B Felony] • 27-51-104 – Careless and Prohibited Driving Disposition The suspect was transported to the St. Francis County Detention Center. The vehicle was towed by Diamond D Wrecker Service. A separate crash report was completed for the damages to all involved vehicle